Huawei File photo:VCG

When asked about Huawei’s exclusion from Sweden’s 5G roll-out and the future development of Ericsson after the Global Times exclusively learned that Sweden faces a “last chance” on Ericsson's fate in China over 5G equipment test involvement, the Chinese ambassador to Sweden said he hoped the country will soon correct its mistakes. 

The ban on Huawei was not based on facts and had no legal support, but was a politicized decision that China resolutely objects to, Gui Congyou, the Chinese Ambassador to Sweden, told local newspaper Expressen, according to a transcript on the website of the Chinese Embassy in Sweden. 

We hope Sweden can uphold openness, fairness and transparency as market principles to correct its mistakes soon, providing a normal and lawful environment for Chinese companies in Sweden, Gui said, noting that Ericsson’s situation in China is decided by the Chinese market and consumers.  

Chinese mobile operators have invited Swedish firm Ericsson to participate in their 5G equipment tests, and the invitation, which offers the Swedish firm an opportunity for an "interview" to access China's 5G market, could be the last chance for Sweden to reverse its wrong decision to exclude Chinese firms such as Huawei from participating in its country's 5G construction, a source close to the matter told the Global Times on Monday.

The source also stressed that participating in the 5G equipment test organized by Chinese mobile operators does not mean Ericsson will be hired, and Sweden has to carefully reconsider its China policy in this regard.

The source said the 5G test invitation comes as Swedish authorities used administrative orders to exclude Chinese companies from Sweden's 5G rollout, citing security concerns without any factual basis and evidence, which are very arbitrary and extremely "bad in nature."

Global Times